7 things to expect at Meta Connect 2026 —from camera-less smart glasses to Meta Ray-ban glasses updates

It’s almost time for Meta Connect, with the brand hosting its annual event on September 23 and 24.

<![CDATA[ <article> <p>It’s almost time for Meta Connect, with the brand hosting its annual event on September 23 and 24. Here, we’re expecting to see several new devices, with a focus on smart glasses.</p><p>Software updates are also likely, including to Meta Muse, but between the RAM crisis and a privacy backlash against the company’s smart specs, this might not be an entirely rosy affair.</p><p>So below, we’ve detailed the seven major things to expect at Meta Connect 2026 — covering both the good and the bad.</p><h3 class="article-body__section" id="section-1-camera-free-meta-smart-glasses"><span>1. Camera-free Meta smart glasses</span></h3><figure class="van-image-figure inline-layout" data-bordeaux-image-check ><div class='image-full-width-wrapper'><div class='image-widthsetter' style="max-width:2000px;"><p class="vanilla-image-block" style="padding-top:56.25%;"><img id="D2meKFBKmLgtVMaFPtFTVY" name="02-woman" alt="Meta Ray-Ban Gen 2" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/D2meKFBKmLgtVMaFPtFTVY-1920-80.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="2000" height="1125" attribution="" endorsement="" class="inline"></p></div></div><figcaption itemprop="caption description" class=" inline-layout"><span class="caption-text">The Meta Ray-Ban Gen 2 </span><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Meta)</span></figcaption></figure><p>While smart glasses like the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/computing/virtual-reality-augmented-reality/ray-ban-meta-gen-2-ai-glasses-have-more-flair-battery-life-and-video-power-and-i-think-they-look-good-on-me">Ray-Ban Meta</a> can be extremely useful, they’re also facing a major backlash right now, with many people worrying about them being used as spy glasses to photograph and video people without their knowledge or consent. As a result, Meta might respond by <a href="https://www.techradar.com/computing/virtual-reality-augmented-reality/meta-leak-suggests-camera-free-smart-glasses-are-on-the-way-as-thousands-download-the-zuckoff-anti-smart-glasses-app">launching camera-free smart glasses</a>.</p><p>These are rumored to land at Meta Connect, and would likely focus on conversational interactions with Meta’s AI chatbot. It makes sense for Meta to launch these, though how useful or appealing they will be when the AI can’t see what you’re looking at remains to be seen.</p><h3 class="article-body__section" id="section-2-the-project-phoenix-mixed-reality-headset"><span>2. The Project Phoenix mixed reality headset</span></h3><div class="see-more see-more--clipped"><figure><blockquote class="twitter-tweet hawk-ignore" data-lang="en" cite="https://twitter.com/cantworkitout/status/2098136120802361515"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">First official visuals of Meta's Project Phoenix, found in the HorizonOS Prescription Lens firmware package! pic.twitter.com/YmN0SCJNCD<a href="https://twitter.com/cantworkitout/status/2098136120802361515">September 10, 2026</a></p></blockquote></figure><div class="see-more__filter"></div></div><p>We’ve been hearing for a while that Meta is working on a mixed reality headset codenamed Project Phoenix, and while this reportedly won’t launch until 2027, we might get an official look at it during Meta Connect.</p><p>From what we’ve seen so far, this might look more like smart glasses than the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/computing/virtual-reality-augmented-reality/meta-quest-3s-review-an-affordable-mixed-reality-headset-that-everyone-might-want">Meta Quest 3S headset</a>, despite featuring both AR and VR functionality. However, <a href="https://www.techradar.com/computing/virtual-reality-augmented-reality/the-first-images-of-metas-project-phoenix-mixed-reality-headset-have-leaked-and-theres-a-reason-its-so-thin-and-light">Project Phoenix has been pictured with a cable</a> running down from it, suggesting that perhaps the battery and/or processor are external, thereby allowing for a slim design.</p><p>We don’t know much else about this yet, but that might change at Meta Connect.</p><h3 class="article-body__section" id="section-3-new-oakley-and-ray-ban-glasses"><span>3. New Oakley and Ray-Ban glasses</span></h3><figure class="van-image-figure inline-layout" data-bordeaux-image-check ><div class='image-full-width-wrapper'><div class='image-widthsetter' style="max-width:8192px;"><p class="vanilla-image-block" style="padding-top:56.25%;"><img id="RxFKkZrTqFVhFsLTzPrigi" name="Oakley Meta HSTN" alt="The Oakley Meta HSTN smart glasses being used by a surfer" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RxFKkZrTqFVhFsLTzPrigi-1920-80.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="8192" height="4608" attribution="" endorsement="" class="inline"></p></div></div><figcaption itemprop="caption description" class=" inline-layout"><span class="caption-text">The Oakley Meta HSTN smart glasses </span><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Oakley / Meta)</span></figcaption></figure><p>We’re probably due a second generation of the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/computing/virtual-reality-augmented-reality/ive-found-the-new-oakley-smart-glasses-are-perfect-for-running-but-im-not-sure-theyre-for-me">Oakley Meta</a> glasses by now, and there’s also a chance we’ll see the Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3, though it might be too soon for them at this year's Connect.</p><p>The Oakley Meta specs are sportier than the Ray-Ban line, with things like wrap-around designs and better water resistance, so expect the second generation to continue with that focus.</p><p>As for the Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3, leaks suggest these could have better battery life, smarter AI, and improved audio. </p><h3 class="article-body__section" id="section-4-a-global-launch-for-the-meta-ray-ban-display-glasses"><span>4. A global launch for the Meta Ray-Ban Display Glasses</span></h3><figure class="van-image-figure inline-layout" data-bordeaux-image-check ><div class='image-full-width-wrapper'><div class='image-widthsetter' style="max-width:1920px;"><p class="vanilla-image-block" style="padding-top:56.25%;"><img id="pwMGJrsfVZss3byTjbG23Y" name="Meta-Ray-Ban-Display-wearing-outside-with-gesture-hero-2" alt="Meta Ray-Ban Display" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pwMGJrsfVZss3byTjbG23Y-1920-80.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="1920" height="1080" attribution="" endorsement="" class="inline"></p></div></div><figcaption itemprop="caption description" class=" inline-layout"><span class="caption-text">The Meta Ray-Ban Display Glasses </span><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)</span></figcaption></figure><p>The <a href="https://www.techradar.com/computing/virtual-reality-augmented-reality/i-wore-meta-ray-ban-display-glasses-they-succeed-in-almost-every-way-google-glass-failed-and-i-cant-wait-to-wear-them-again">Meta Ray-Ban Display Glasses</a> are currently only available in the US, but hopefully at Meta Connect we might see these display-packing specs go global.</p><p>It’s certainly about time — originally these were planned to get a wider launch in early 2026, but thanks to "unprecedented demand and limited inventory" this was delayed.</p><p>But if you’re hoping to get your hands on them you’ll also have to be prepared to pay a lot, as in the US they retail for $800, so you can expect similarly high pricing elsewhere.</p><h3 class="article-body__section" id="section-5-price-hikes"><span>5. Price hikes</span></h3><figure class="van-image-figure inline-layout" data-bordeaux-image-check ><div class='image-full-width-wrapper'><div class='image-widthsetter' style="max-width:2166px;"><p class="vanilla-image-block" style="padding-top:56.23%;"><img id="vwUHdMHmSzXBbvHek3F3U5" name="RayBanMetasmartglasses.jpg" alt="The Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses sat on a shelf" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vwUHdMHmSzXBbvHek3F3U5-1920-80.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="2166" height="1218" attribution="" endorsement="" class="inline"></p></div></div><figcaption itemprop="caption description" class=" inline-layout"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption></figure><p>Alongside new and improved products, we might also see new and not at all improved prices for some things, thanks to the ongoing RAM crisis.</p><p>In other words, don’t be surprised if prices for new generation models of the likes of Oakley Meta and Ray-Ban Meta glasses are higher than the current generation.</p><p>In the case of Ray-Ban Meta glasses we already saw a price hike for the second generation, so another for the third would be extremely undesirable, but may also be unavoidable.</p><h3 class="article-body__section" id="section-6-a-meta-muse-ai-update"><span>6. A Meta Muse AI update</span></h3><figure class="van-image-figure inline-layout" data-bordeaux-image-check ><div class='image-full-width-wrapper'><div class='image-widthsetter' style="max-width:2560px;"><p class="vanilla-image-block" style="padding-top:56.25%;"><img id="oThcXBvjEBFUXAR2RHFW9k" name="shutterstock_2841146157 copy" alt="Meta Muse" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/oThcXBvjEBFUXAR2RHFW9k-1920-80.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="2560" height="1440" attribution="" endorsement="" class="inline"></p></div></div><figcaption itemprop="caption description" class=" inline-layout"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Shutterstock / jackpress)</span></figcaption></figure><p><a href="https://www.techradar.com/ai-platforms-assistants/i-tried-metas-new-muse-ai-agent-its-incredibly-useful-but-handing-it-my-digital-life-felt-deeply-uncomfortable">Meta Muse</a> — Meta’s AI agent that can send emails, fill out forms, shop, and do other tasks for you — only launched recently, but as a major new service it’s likely to be getting a lot of attention from Meta, so improvements are probably already in the works.</p><p>Meta Connect then would be a prime time to find out about any upcoming changes — and perhaps even for Meta to roll out a software update for it or a new model. Or perhaps Meta will announce availability in countries other than the US, so that more of us can try it.</p><h3 class="article-body__section" id="section-7-updates-addressing-the-privacy-backlash"><span>7. Updates addressing the privacy backlash</span></h3><figure class="van-image-figure inline-layout" data-bordeaux-image-check ><div class='image-full-width-wrapper'><div class='image-widthsetter' style="max-width:1920px;"><p class="vanilla-image-block" style="padding-top:56.25%;"><img id="8GYMquuUQihF2WAEm3Ak5J" name="Meta-Essilor-Luxottica-Fury-bone-in-hand-front" alt="Meta Essilor Luxottica AI Glasses" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8GYMquuUQihF2WAEm3Ak5J-1920-80.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="1920" height="1080" attribution="" endorsement="" class="inline"></p></div></div><figcaption itemprop="caption description" class=" inline-layout"><span class="caption-text">Meta Essilor Luxottica AI Glasses </span><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)</span></figcaption></figure><p>As well as launching some camera-free smart glasses, Meta may use Connect to announce some software updates aimed at addressing privacy concerns in its existing specs.</p><p>Already, the company has <a href="https://www.techradar.com/computing/virtual-reality-augmented-reality/meta-has-a-fresh-update-to-stop-people-from-turning-meta-smart-glasses-into-pervert-glasses-and-the-updates-will-keep-coming">rolled out an update</a> that will stop the glasses recording if you cover the LED once a recording has started, but Meta may well be cooking up additional changes to further prevent surreptitious photography and video recording.</p><p>Indeed, Meta's VP of Wearables Alex Himel recently said "we’re going to keep rolling out updates like this to make sure the capture LED can reliably alert bystanders when photos or videos are being captured for someone’s gallery." So while it’s unclear what exactly those updates will be, we might learn about some of them at Meta Connect.</p><div data-widget-type="multimodelreview" data-widget-title="Today's best smart glasses deals" data-model-name="XREAL One Pro,Ray-Ban Meta Headliner (Gen 2),Amazon Echo Frames,Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarer (Gen 2),Ray-Ban Meta Skyler (Gen 2),Oakley Meta HSTN"></div> </article> ]]>